An Improved Method for Measuring the Residual Stresses in Railroad Solid Wheels

Abstract

In order to estimate the residual stress in railroad solid wheels, a new technique called plate-cut out method has been developed. Fundamental ideal of this method consists in that the residual stress in the wheel can be separated into two constituent components, σN+M and σi, by taking account of wheel geometry. σN+M is the stress produced by force N and moment M which are the interaction between rim and plate. σi is the residual stress which remains in the rim and plate. σi is the residual stress which remains in the rim and plate after σN+M has been released by cutting the plate out of the wheel. These constituent components of the residual stress are determined respectively through simple strain measurements and elastic stress calculations. It is confirmed that stresses obtained by the "plate-cut-out method" have a fairly good accuracy in practical use as a result of comparison with superficial residual stresses measured by using wire strain gages.